About

What is the PRC?

The Prevention Resource Center is a statewide initiative funded by the Texas Department of State Health Services that spans across 11 regions. Each PRC functions as a data collection repository, training liaison in substance abuse prevention, and conducts tobacco compliance check at tobacco merchant retailers. The PRC is charged to facilitate and maximize regional resources in data collection in order to develop an annual Regional Needs Assessment.

The data collection efforts carried by PRC are focused on the state’s prevention priorities of alcohol (underage drinking), marijuana, prescription drugs, tobacco, and other drugs. The Prevention Resource Centers collaborate closely with community stakeholders, substance abuse prevention programs, and other community advocates to identify and coordinate training opportunities for the region.

Our Purpose

Prevention Resource Centers are to enhance regional efforts in the area of substance abuse prevention through data collection, data and information dissemination, and providing indirect support services through relevant substance abuse prevention training. It is our goal to provide the most appropriate, accurate, reliable data on current trends, facts, and research in the area of alcohol, marijuana, prescription drugs, tobacco and other drugs.

Our Regions

Region 1: Panhandle and South Plains

Region 2: Northwest Texas

Region 3: Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex

Region 4: Upper East Texas

Region 5: Beaumont

Region 6: Gulf Coast

Region 7: Central Texas

Region 8: San Antonio

Region 9: Midland

Region 10: Far West Texas

Region 11: Rio Grande Valley/Lower South Texas

What Evaluators Do

Regional PRC Evaluators have many responsibilities related to the development of a sustainable central data repository in the region. Evaluators are responsible for developing data collection strategies and activities, developing, and conducting surveys and focus groups that target local and county data, as well as analyzing data, creating written and oral reports and databases for the central data repository, and working and collaborating with the DSHS Statewide Prevention Evaluator. The PRC Regional Evaluator also works closely with the Community Liaison and the Prevention Specialists to identify those entities that are able to collaborate and provide data resources appropriate for the development of the central data repository.

Regional PRC Evaluators are primarily responsible for identifying and gathering alcohol and drug consumption data and related risk and protective factors within their respective service regions. Their work in identifying and tracking substance use consumption patterns is disseminated to stakeholders and the public through a variety of methods, such as fact sheets, social media, traditional news outlets, presentations, and reports such as this Regional Needs Assessment. Their work serves to provide state and local agencies valuable prevention data to assess target communities and high-risk populations in need of prevention services.

Additionally, Evaluators provide technical assistance and consultation to providers, community groups and other stakeholders for substance abuse data collection activities for the data repository.

How We Help the Community

PRC’s provide systems for collecting data, and help stakeholders navigate data that is collected through the Central Data Repository, to develop programs and make informed decisions. The role of PRC is to contribute to the increase in stakeholder’s knowledge and understanding of the populations they serve, improve programs, and make data-driven decisions. Additionally, the program provides a way to identify community strengths as well as gaps in services and areas for improvement.